PM Modi has nine bilateral meetings with CEOs and leaders and a roundtable with 16 heads of deeptech and AI businesses

Narendra Modi on Friday held multiple high-level meetings on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam.

The prime minister chaired a roundtable with CEOs and founders of 16 AI and deeptech startups. During the discussion, he explored how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in sectors such as agriculture, environmental protection and higher education in regional languages. The startup leaders shared their ideas and ongoing work with him, officials said.

The India AI Impact Summit, being held from February 16–20, has brought together more than 500 global AI leaders, 150 academicians and researchers, and 400 chief technology officers, vice-presidents and philanthropists.

Apart from the startup roundtable, Modi held back-to-back bilateral meetings with several world leaders. He met Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka; Peter Pellegrini, President of Slovakia; Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein; and Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius.

After his meeting with Sri Lanka’s President, Modi said the two leaders reviewed progress in India-Sri Lanka relations and discussed cooperation in energy, connectivity, infrastructure, healthcare, skilling, culture and the blue economy.

During talks with Slovakia’s President, Modi highlighted that the recent India–EU free trade agreement (FTA) would open new opportunities for trade and investment between India and Slovakia. They also discussed cooperation in digital technology, startups, digital public infrastructure, defence and space.

In his meeting with Liechtenstein’s leadership, led by Prince Alois, the prime minister spoke about strengthening economic ties, especially in light of the India–EU FTA. Discussions covered innovation, technology, skilling, research and development.

Modi also met Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. They discussed how AI can be made more inclusive and how the UN can play a constructive role in promoting responsible AI use. Modi reiterated India’s support for global efforts to use AI for the benefit of humanity and also exchanged views on UN reforms, including giving a stronger voice to the Global South.

Overall, the summit has seen participation from more than 100 government representatives, including over 20 heads of state and government, and around 60 ministers and vice-ministers, highlighting the growing global focus on AI cooperation.